There were 35 participants this year. Seven of the nine Gulf County participants qualified to go to the 4-H State Show in Tampa on July 11-13. All nine of the youth placed in the District Show with following results: Brooke McMillian: 22 points, Kayla Lindsey: 17 points, Robin Outlaw: 16 points, Madeline McMillian: 13 points, Hayleigh McMillian: nine points, Desy Outlaw: nine points, Rylee Waters: seven points, Hayden Lee: three points and Landin Johnson: three points.

The cutoff points for qualifying to go to the 4-H State Show were five points which our top seven youths qualified. Each of the youths placed in one or more classes they exhibited in.

Kayla Lindsey placed 5th in Sr. Pole Bending 14 and over, earning seven points, 7th in Sr. Barrel Race 14 and over earning five points. She had a total of 12 points qualifying her for Southern Regional 4-H Horse Championships in West Monroe, La on July 30-August 3.

Robin Outlaw placed 8th in the Sr. Keyhole Race earning four points but not enough to qualify for the Southern Regional Championships.

Brooke McMillian competed in the 13 and under categories and placed 6th in Jr./Int. Keyhole, earning six points, 3rd in Jr./Int. Stake Race, earning nine points, 1st in Jr./Int. Pole Bending, earning 11 points, and 5th in Jr./Int. Barrel Race, earning seven points. She had a total of 33 points. Brooke also placed 8th in the Top 10 Juniors in the State, receiving a large plaque for her award.

Only Sr. exhibitors are invited to the Regional 4-H Horse Championships. Each class at the District show had 31-36 competitors per class from the State of Florida.

We are excited and elated to have this amazing young lady, Kayla Lindsey, to represent Gulf County at the Southern Regional Championships where she will compete against qualifiers from Alabama, Arkansas, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, North and South Carolina, Oklahoma, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia and Florida.

We would like to give a great big ‘Thank You” to all our donors for helping make this a wonderful and memorable year for our youth. Fundraisers and donations are what assist our youth to participate in these shows and represent our county with their magnificent talents.

Thank you to the Extension Agent, 4-H Agent, all volunteers, parents and supporters for their assistance in allowing the 4-H Club youth of Gulf County to discover the best within themselves, make a positive impact in their communities and shape future leaders and innovators. Their motto is, “To make the best better.”

Area A also had the task of planning, getting food, snacks and drinks together, setting up and serving for the 4-H State Show Award Social in Tampa on Saturday night for approximately 400 youth and their parents.

Thank you to Jean McMillian, Judy Lister, Tamara McMillian, Russell McMillian, Katie Bryant of Gulf County, Terry Stout of Okaloosa County, Kristine Manos, Tony Manos and Melanie King of Gadsden County for all their assistance in making this a very unique Social for all.

4-H is a youth development program for ages 5-18 that is greatly assisted by adult volunteers. If you are interested in participating as an adult volunteer or involving your child in the 4-H program, please contact Melanie Taylor at the Gulf County Extension Office by calling 850-639-3200 or metaylor@ufl.edu.

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